Golf Carts and off-highway vehicles are not street legal and cannot be operated on public roadways or designated pedestrian/equestrian trails in Norco.

State & Local Laws

• California Vehicle Code 23127: No person shall operate an unauthorized motor vehicle on any state, county, city, private, or district hiking or horseback riding trail.
• Norco Municipal Code 18.28.08: It is unlawful for any motor-driven device to park, ride, or drive upon a pedestrian/equestrian zone.
• Modified Golf Carts: A golf cart cannot be converted for registration as a neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV) or a low-speed vehicle (LSV). Any golf cart that is modified to go faster than 15 MPH or seat more than two persons is considered a regular motor vehicle and must comply with federal standards for passenger vehicles.
• NEV or LSV can only be operated on a public roadway by a licensed driver and must be insured and registered with the DMV. Failure to follow registration requirements will result in the impoundment of your vehicle until proof of ownership and adequate registration is obtained from the DMV per 4000(a)(1) C.

Failure to Comply with Requirements

• Unregistered golf carts or off-highway vehicles being driven on the roadway may be subject to citation or arrest for numerous California Vehicle Code violations. These violations include, but are not limited to:
• Driving a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license (12500(a) CVC)
• Driving an unregistered vehicle (4000(a)(1) CVC)
• Driving without valid vehicle insurance (16028(a) CVC)
• Driving a motor vehicle without using a seatbelt/child restraint (27315(d)(1) CVC)
• Could result in a 30-day impound of the vehicle (14602.6 CVC) 
• Unlicensed juvenile could be cited and can result in the DMV postponing issuing them a valid license until the age of 18 (12500(a) CVC)
• Parents can be cited for a misdemeanor for allowing their unlicensed child to drive a on a public roadway (14604(a) CVC)
• Could result in criminal and/or civil liability if involved in a traffic collision
• Traffic collision could result in serious injury and/or death

Registration of NEV and LSV in California requires the following to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards: Headlamps/tail lamps, front and rear turn signals, stop lamps, driver’s side mirror and either interior or passenger side mirror, front and rear side reflectors, vehicle identification number issued by the DMV (manufacture serial numbers don’t apply), seat belts at each designated seating position, parking brake, glazed windshield, and proof of insurance.

For more information, contact the Norco Sheriff's Office at (951) 270-5673 or sheriff@ci.norco.ca.us.